See Introduction to this project for an explanation of why the names are or are not on each memorial. These pages outline what we know about the named people, in many cases, very little. If you find errors or have more information we would be pleased to know. Contact: use the email symbol right

First World War Memorials

in Cirencester

This page contains information about names on the

Cirencester Memorials from BUTLER to COLE

The information is updated from that on display at our 2014 Exhibition [where more is known]. Click on name below to go to detailed information. Click on the little blue arrow to get back to here. Click on relevant page shown left to go to other names To get to the main site use buttons above

V.C. FOR CAPTAIN J.F.P. BUTLER HEROISM IN THE CAMEROONS

It is officially announced that his Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer, among others, in recognition of his most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the field : Captain John Fitzhardinge Paul Butler, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, attached Pioneer Company, Gold Coast Regiment, West African Frontier Force, for most conspicuous bravery in the Cameroons, West Africa. On 17th November 1914, with a party of 13 men, he went into the thick bush and at once attacked the enemy, in strength about 100, including several Europeans, defeated them, and captured their machine gun and many loads of ammunition. On 27th December 1914, when on patrol duty, with a few men, he swam the Ekam River, which was held by the enemy, alone and in the face of a brisk fire, completed his reconnaissance on the further bank, and returned to safety. Two of his men were wounded while he was actually in the water. Captain Butler is the only son of Lieut.-Colonel Francis John Paul Butler, formerly 18th Hussars, his mother being the Hon. Elspeth Fitzhardinge, sister of Lord Gifford, and of the Hon. Mrs Kingscote, of Watermoor House, Cirencester. Captain Butler was born in 1888, and was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. The gallant officer’s family, as our readers are of course aware, formerly resided in Cirencester and Colonel Butler sat on the local Bench of Magistrates. It will be remembered that the mother and grandmother of Captain Butler, V.C., died within three days of each other and were buried at Wyck Rissington in December 1913. Captain Butler had the honour of being received by his Majesty at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, when the King decorated him with the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery in the Cameroons, West Africa. Source: FB image 1915 08 28 Ref. 317 with photograph. Wilts & Glos Standard 16 September 1916

DEATH FROM WOUNDS OF CAPTAIN BUTLER, V.C., D.S.O.

We deeply regret to state that news was received on Wednesday of the death from wounds sustained in action of Captain John Fitzhardinge Paul Butler, V.C., D.S.O., only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis John Paul Butler, formerly of the 18th Hussars, and now commanding a Remount Depot, and of the late Hon. Mrs Butler, of Wyck Hill, near Stow-on-the-Wold. His father, Colonel Butlery, who fro many years resided in Cirencester, is the elder son of the late Mr Paul Butler, of Down Amney House ... [to be continued] Source: FB image 1916 09 16 Ref 201 [Item 3] Wilts & Glos Standard 11 November 1916

CAPTAIN J.F.P. BUTLER, V.C., D.S.O.

The following is an extract from a special issue of the Gold Coast Government Gazette, September 9th: “His Excellency the Governor announced with profound regret that a telegram has been received from Lieut.-Colonel Rose, officer commanding the Gold Coast Regiment, dated at Bea, E. Africa, on September 5th, reporting that Captain Butler, V.C., D.S.O., died on the night of September 5th from wounds received in action that evening.” From Colonel Stuart Wortly, C.O., of the 60th in India: “There never was a boy more beloved by his comrades, nor one who did his duty better under all circumstances; always cheery and full of go, he was the beau ideal of a Rifleman ... He was indeed a son to be proud of, and we in the Regiment share your pride and look back on him as one who has done the Regiment great honour and was indeed sans peur et sans reproche.” Source: FB image 1916 11 11 Ref 309 [Item 3

CALLOW, William J.

Memorial Parish Church WILLIAM J. CALLOW. Memorial Hospital CALLOW W.J. 34276 Private William James Callow. 9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Born [c.1890, Cirencester]. Enlisted Cirencester. Died 14 September 1918. Aged 28. Killed in Action. MesopotamiaMemorial Baku Memorial. Notes: Son of Clara Annie Callow of 47 Dollar Street and the late James Henry Callow. In 1911 Census William J. Callow (age 20, c.1891, Cirencester) living at 47 Dollar Street, occupation boot maker; with father and mother. Parents married 22 years, 5 children

MAJOR CHRISTIE KILLED IN ACTION

We regret to record that Major William Charles Christie, of the 2nd Battalion Warwickshire Regiment, of Southleigh, Chesterton, Cirencester, is reported killed in action, and the sincerest sympathy will be felt with Mrs Christie, her infant son, her father, Mr V. Biden, and the family in their bereavement. By Major Christie’s death the British army has lost one of its most promising and efficient officers. We hope to publish a full biographical notice in our next issue, and therefore now give only a few leading details of his distinguished career. Major Christie was the eldest son of the late Mr John Christie, shipowner, of Baynton House, Llandaff. He was a fine athlete. Obtaining his commission in 1893 he was gazetted lieutenant in 1898, captain in 1900, and received a brevet-majority in 1902 , when he was the youngest major in the Army. He fought in Egypt and South Africa, being mentioned in dispatches on both occasions. After a period of regimental duty, Major Christie was attached two years ago to the General Staff as military instructor of officers’ training corps, and in pursuance of this work became adjutant to the contingents of the Universities of Birmingham and Bristol and of the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. His name appears in Sir John French’s latest dispatches among the officers specially mentioned. “A Brother Officer” sends the following tribute to The Times: “He was a most gallant officer, a man who absolutely had no sense of fear. Under fire he was exactly the same as he was in the ordinary routine of regimental life. There are, of course, many such: but somehow he stood out in his brave way as a model to officers and men serving with him. This I well know, as I was with him on August 23- 26. For some time before the war he was an instructor for the O.T.C., and wrote a little book which was much use, I believe, in preparing for their examinations. Only on Sunday, little knowing I should see his death in Monday’s paper, I was talking with the master of a public school who knew him and who spoke of his keenness and ability. He was the keenest of sportsmen, and some readers of The Times may remember him as a soldier rider under National Hunt Rules in the later nineties. He was also a splendid long-distance runner, and, I believe, held the record for the Crick at Rugby. Two years or so ago he ran a long-distance race with the men and officers of his company, finishing as easy first in spite of his 40 years. He could never have done anything small or petty, and in his regiment everyone loved him, and his influence was felt in all ranks.” Source: FB image 1914 10 24 Ref 129, with photograph. Source: FB image 1914 10 31 Ref 141, with photograph

CAPTAIN CLIFFORD COLE KILLED IN ACTION

Our readers will learn with great regret of the death in action, which occurred on Monday night last, of Captain Clifford S. Cole, 2/5th Gloucester Regiment, third son of Mr W.H. Cole, J.P., and Mrs Cole, of Bourne House, Brimscombe, and Cirencester. Captain Clifford Cole, who was only recently promoted, was 20 years of age and has two brothers also holding commissions in the Gloucesters. The greatest sympathy will be extended to Mr and Mrs Cole and family in their bereavement. Source: FB image 1916 06 24 Ref 192 Wilts & Glos Standard 1 July 1916

THE LATE CAPTAIN CLIFFORD S. COLE

Captain Clifford Spearing Cole, of the Gloucester Regiment, third son of Mr and Mrs W.H. Cole, of Bourne House, Brimscombe, and formerly of Cirencester, whose death from wounds caused by an aerial torpedo we last week announced with sincere regret, was only 20 years of age, and his promotion to the rank of captain took place but a few days before his death and has not yet been gazetted. He was educated first at Morton Hall Preparatory School, Worcestershire, and afterwards at the Cirencester Grammar School before proceeding to Marlborough. On leaving school he entered Singers’ Motor Cycle Works, Coventry, and when the war broke out applied for a commission, being gazetted to the Gloucesters in September 1914, and promoted temporary lieutenant in April 1915. He went with his battalion to France not much more than a month or five weeks ago. Soon after reaching the war zone he was selected for a course of instruction in trench mortars, and about the middle of June he was promoted temporary captain, being given the command of the two batteries of his battalion and appointed Brigade Light Trench Mortar Officers, with three officers and 35 men under him. He took the keenest interest in his new duties and looked forward to them with zest. He was of a particularly bright and attractive disposition, and one of the most popular officers in the battalion. On several occasions he took duty with the transport section for his brother, Lieutenant C.L. Cole, who received the following letter a few days ago:- June 20th 1916 To Lieutenant C.L. Cole. Sir, - It is the wish of the N.C.O.s and men of – Gloucesters Transport Section that I should write to you expressing their deep sympathy and regret upon hearing of the death in action of your brother, the late Captain C.S. Cole. He was not associated with us for any long period, but during the time we have been acquainted with him he was much admired and respected by all. Again expressing our deepest sympathy, I remain, on behalf of the Transport Section, Yours obediently, W.J. Clark, Transport Sergeant. Captain Clifford Cole was buried on the 20th with two other Gloucestershire men, the guns firing over the funeral party the whole time. Mr and Mrs W.H. Cole’s two other sons in the Gloucesters are Captain F.W. Cole and Lieutenant C. Lawson Cole. Mr and Mrs Cole have received very many expressions of sympathy in their bereavement. Source: FB image 1916 07 01 Ref 205, 206 with photo; Ref 066 [item 3]

SECOND-LIEUTENANT MAX. COLE MISSING

We regret to learn that Mr and Mrs W.H. Cole, of Bourne House, Brimscombe, and formerly of Cirencester, have received the following letter, dated May 19th, from the Major Commanding No. Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, attached to the British Expeditionary Force in France: I deeply regret to have to inform you that your son has been reported missing. He was engaged in a balloon attack and failed to return. Second-Lieutenant Cole was a very gallant officer and popular with his brother officers, who deeply deplore his loss, and beg you to accept their deep sympathy. Second-Lieutenant Maxwell Gerard Cole, who was between 18 and 19 years of age, was Mr and Mrs Cole’s youngest son. He received his commission last August while he was at Marlborough College, and joined the Royal Flying Corps, after a fortnight’s holiday. After going through his period of training at various stations he went to France the first week in February, and has been on active service ever since. He recently came home for 10 days’ leave, afterwards extended to 15 days, and only returned to France a fortnight ago. The sincerest sympathy will be felt with Mr and Mrs Cole and family in what it is feared is their second bereavement during the war, an elder son, Lieutenant Clifford Cole, Gloucester Regiment, having been killed in action rather less than a year ago, viz., on the 19th June 1916. Source: FB image 1917 05 26 Ref 283

See Introduction to this project for an explanation of why the names are or are not on each memorial. These pages outline what we know about the named people, in many cases, very little. If you find errors or have more information we would be pleased to know. Contact: use the email symbol right

The information is updated from that on display at our 2014 Exhibition [where more is known]. Click on name below to go to detailed information. Click on relevant page shown above to go to other names .To get to the main site use Navigation menu above

SECOND-LIEUTENANT MAX. COLE MISSING

We regret to learn that Mr and Mrs W.H. Cole, of Bourne House, Brimscombe, and formerly of Cirencester, have received the following letter, dated May 19th, from the Major Commanding No. Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, attached to the British Expeditionary Force in France: I deeply regret to have to inform you that your son has been reported missing. He was engaged in a balloon attack and failed to return. Second-Lieutenant Cole was a very gallant officer and popular with his brother officers, who deeply deplore his loss, and beg you to accept their deep sympathy. Second-Lieutenant Maxwell Gerard Cole, who was between 18 and 19 years of age, was Mr and Mrs Cole’s youngest son. He received his commission last August while he was at Marlborough College, and joined the Royal Flying Corps, after a fortnight’s holiday. After going through his period of training at various stations he went to France the first week in February, and has been on active service ever since. He recently came home for 10 days’ leave, afterwards extended to 15 days, and only returned to France a fortnight ago. The sincerest sympathy will be felt with Mr and Mrs Cole and family in what it is feared is their second bereavement during the war, an elder son, Lieutenant Clifford Cole, Gloucester Regiment, having been killed in action rather less than a year ago, viz., on the 19th June 1916. Source: FB image 1917 05 26 Ref 283